Public Wants More Government Spending

August 20, 2012

A majority of Americans want government to spend more on certain federal programs ranging from veterans’ assistance to food safety, according to a new survey by a global polling firm.

The survey, which included a random sample of 1,000 respondents nationwide, asked participants whether the government should commit more, less or the same amount of resources and staff to certain federal programs and services: food, drug and medical device safety, border security, veterans’ assistance and nuclear safety. For example, 86 percent of respondents said they wanted government to commit more resources and personnel to veterans’ assistance, while 58 percent favored more nuclear safety resources. The poll, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for the National Treasury Employees Union, also asked participants about their views on deficit reduction.

Sixty-seven percent said Congress should raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans before cutting funding for public services such as food and drug safety and border security. The respondent pool included Democrats, Independents and Republicans.